GPO Forward Control Tractor

History

The British Telephones archive identifies EMF 739J as a Land Rover forward-control chassis cab converted into an articulated tractor for rough-ground use, paired with a single-axle step-frame box trailer. The standalone model follows the queue request for a shortened chassis and exposed trailer coupling. Its 90-inch gameplay wheelbase and pale finish are interpretations, not documented factory specifications.

Imagery

Registry record

Manufacturer

Land Rover

Country of origin

United Kingdom

Catalogue data

Record kind

Named model

Model line

Series IIA

Wheels

4

Nominal wheelbase

90″

Catalogue fields describe the vehicle's structure and body as this registry records it. They are not certified factory measurements, and no performance figures are published here.

Sources & citations

Researched sources

• GPO Forward Control Tractor Unit ↗ — British Telephones (accessed 2026-09-11)

Catalogue references

• https://www.britishtelephones.com/vehicles/specialist/014.htm https://www.britishtelephones.com/vehicles/specialist/014.htm ↗

Development reference notes

• 101 Forward Control ambulance · MILITARY-MODEL-REFERENCES.md

  - [Production ambulance photographed by Steve Glover, 1981 vehicle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_Ambulance_(1981).jpg): split raked screen, separate medical body, projecting roof brow, twin corner vents, low headlamps, central grille, steps and rear doors. - [Dunsfold Collection's prototype ambulance](https://dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/collection/101-forward-control-ambulance/): useful side/body reference; its large overhead grille differs from the production front used here. - [Factory 101 manual](https://www.landroverweb.com/Pdf-files/Manuals/Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_Manual.pdf): 101-inch chassis. Model and physics use 2.5654 m axle spacing.

• [Production ambulance photographed by Steve Glover, 1981 vehicle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_Ambulance_(1981).jpg): split raked screen, separate medical body, projecting roof brow, twin corner vents, low headlamps, central grille, steps and rear doors. · MILITARY-MODEL-REFERENCES.md

  - [Production ambulance photographed by Steve Glover, 1981 vehicle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_Ambulance_(1981).jpg): split raked screen, separate medical body, projecting roof brow, twin corner vents, low headlamps, central grille, steps and rear doors.

• [Dunsfold Collection's prototype ambulance](https://dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/collection/101-forward-control-ambulance/): useful side/body reference; its large overhead grille differs from the production front used here. · MILITARY-MODEL-REFERENCES.md

  - [Dunsfold Collection's prototype ambulance](https://dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/collection/101-forward-control-ambulance/): useful side/body reference; its large overhead grille differs from the production front used here.

• [Factory 101 manual](https://www.landroverweb.com/Pdf-files/Manuals/Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_Manual.pdf): 101-inch chassis. Model and physics use 2.5654 m axle spacing. · MILITARY-MODEL-REFERENCES.md

  - [Factory 101 manual](https://www.landroverweb.com/Pdf-files/Manuals/Land_Rover_101_Forward_Control_Manual.pdf): 101-inch chassis. Model and physics use 2.5654 m axle spacing.

• 101 Forward Control ambulance · MILITARY-REFERENCES.md

  - 101 Forward Control ambulance: https://dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/collection/101-forward-control-ambulance/ — cab-over layout, overhead ventilation grille; rear photo RGN239P-2.jpg used for door windows and medical panel.